China’s marine economy expanded 5.8% year on year in the first half of 2025, with gross ocean product rising to 5.1 trillion yuan ($714 billion), according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The country has built all 15 major marine industries and recorded a service-sector share of nearly 60% in 2024, when total output exceeded 10.5 trillion yuan. Officials speaking on Xinhua’s China Economic Roundtable said marine manufacturing now contributes more than 30% of output, while coastal province Shandong led the nation last year with cargo throughput of more than 2 billion tonnes for a third straight year. Policymakers highlighted innovation, industrial renewal and environmental protection as priorities for sustaining growth in the sector. Separately at the United Nations, China’s deputy ambassador Geng Shuang called for international cooperation to secure Red Sea shipping lanes and advance a political settlement in Yemen, linking maritime security to the continued expansion of global trade and China’s ocean-based industries.